Classic Poem

When there was heard no more the war's loud sound,
And only the rough corn-crake filled the hours,
And hill winds in the furze and drowsy flowers,
Maeve in her chamber with her white head bowed
On Ailill's heart was sobbing: " I have found
The way to love you now, " she said, and he
Winked an old tear away and said: " The proud
Unyielding heart loves never. " And then she:
" I love you now, tho' once when we were young
We walked apart like two who were estranged
Because I loved you not, now all is changed. "
And he who loved her always called her name
And said: " You do not love me, 'tis your tongue
Talks in the dusk; you love the blazing gold
Won in the battles, and the soldier's fame.
You love the stories that are often told
By poets in the hall. " Then Maeve arose
And sought her daughter Findebar: " O, child,
Go tell your father that my love went wild
With all my wars in youth, and say that now
I love him stronger than I hate my foes.... "
And Findebar unto her father sped
And touched him gently on the rugged brow,
And knew by the cold touch that he was dead.